Hello Reader,

How are you?

I've had a great start to the week as I've just finished probably one the most interesting training programmes I've attended in a long time and it was all about Cultural Intelligence (CQ). It's a topic I've been researching and learning about for a while so I thought it was about time I invested in getting certified.

A certificate issued to Advita from the Cultural Intelligence Center

CQ measures your capability to relate and work effectively in culturally diverse situations. It’s a form of intelligence that has been tested by academic researchers in over 98 countries for nearly two decades.

If CQ is a new concept for you, I urge you to read David Livermore's book 'Driven by Difference.' I've read a few of David's books, but this one is a great starting point in my opinion. There's also a fabulous podcast episode hosted by the Cultural Intelligence Centre which gives you a great insight into CQ.

If you're a global leader or a leader who works with multicultural teams, let's chat about how I can potentially support you. Reply to this email, and we can set up a call.

In other news, some of you may know that I'm also one of the co-founders of Calm Edged Rebels. Yesterday we announced some exciting news about a new membership we're launching called The Clarity Club.

Do check it out if you're looking for some support to help you find clarity and live the best life for you. We've kept the price point purposely low at £14.99 a month as we want to ensure it's inclusive and accessible to all. For that, you'll receive monthly workshops and worksheets on specific topics and a quarterly Ask Us Anything. The waitlist is now open, and the club doors officially open on 7 February, with the first session taking place on 28 February, which will be about how to create habits that stick.

That's it from me for this week. Hopefully, I'll catch some of you on Friday at 11.30 am GMT, where I'll chat with Chaya Mistry on Curious Rebel TV about coaching skills for comms professionals. Not to be missed.

Take care,

Advita

Biggest risks for 2024!

If you want Internal Communications to be treated as a strategic function in your workplace, it’s important to pay attention to what’s happening outside your organisation. The World Economic Forum’s 2024 global risk report is a must-read for strategic communication professionals responsible for supporting leaders in their organisation. The report highlights the biggest risks facing the world, here’s my summary:

Due to the rise of sophisticated AI and its potential misuse, misinformation and disinformation will be rife. This year, more than 3 billion people will be voting in elections across the globe, and the risk of malicious actors flooding systems with fake narratives is high - leading to further conflict and civil unrest.
Extreme weather events are now five times more likely than 50 years ago. Experts say climate-related damage costs the world £16 million per hour.
The growing inequities and the perceptions of decreasing social mobility are causing societal polarisation and could threaten political systems globally.
Cyber insecurity is a growing concern. In 2022, 83% of organisations suffered at least one data breach. Each costing an average of $4.35 million.
We’ve all witnessed the impact of interstate armed conflict globally. The uncertainty and weakened governance is going to continue to get worse.

As communicators, speak with key leaders to understand what support they need from comms to help mitigate some of these risks; ensure your organisational strategies and risk management plans are aligned with the identified global risks; review and update your crisis communication plan; and reiterate relevant policies that address identified risks to remind colleagues of their roles and responsibilities, specifically on data, AI and mis/disinformation.

Turn I’m sorry into thank you

Instead of saying “I’m sorry” all the time, try saying “Thank you” instead. For example, say “Thank you for making time in your diary” instead of “Sorry for taking up your time.”

This small tweak can boost your confidence and you will feel empowered in conversations. Give it a go! Head to our YouTube channel for more on this 60 second tip!

Curious Rebel TV is back tomorrow!

I’m so excited to be back on your screen tomorrow (Friday 26 January) for my live TV show, Curious Rebel TV. We have some incredible guests coming up!

We are starting this season off with the brilliant Chaya Mistry, founder of Humanly. We will be chatting about coaching skills for comms professionals, communicating with clarity and curiosity and how to have better conversations that create human connection. Tune in to LinkedIn or YouTube tomorrow at 11:30 am GMT. You can also watch on replay if you miss the live show.

Boost your creativity using lists

Lists are an excellent tool for organising information. But did you know that they can also help you become more curious? Our brains absorb vast amounts of information daily, much of which we don't fully understand.

To train your brain to be more curious, try making a list of things you come across that you can't explain well. Don't limit yourself to just the things you think are important either.

The most creative people often know about a plethora of topics. Try using lists to help you explore new areas and boost your curiosity. Read about two more ways to be more curious.